#lyzzy

(500 word prompt: Purple) (Read on AO3)

Izzy doesn’t think twice about asking to train with Lydia. After that impressive arrow-catching move she’s determined to learn everything she can from Lydia, and not just when it comes to quick reflexes.

Lydia Branwell is the embodiment of everything Izzy’s family needs her to be right now - she commands attention whenever she walks in a room, when she speaks others listen, and she’s got the ‘serious professional’ thing down perfectly.

So Izzy watches and learns. She volunteers for the same assignments, stands close during debriefings, telling herself it’s just business. Just the means to an end… until it isn’t.

It doesn’t take long for Izzy’s initial admiration to turn into something softer the more she gets to know Lydia. Lydia isn’t just clever and severe, she’s also kind and genuine. The more time they spend together the more Lydia opens up about herself and her past, and Izzy realizes she’s more than just another ruthless Clave lackey.

Izzy isn’t sure when, but at some point her desire to impress Lydia shifts from wanting to make a good impression as a Lightwood to wanting to make a good impression as herself, as a potential friend, as… maybe more than that. Then she reminds herself that Lydia’s only here because Isabelle’s family’s reputation is in shambles, and gives up any hope of something more.

That doesn’t stop Izzy from flirting, of course. There’s no harm in a little flattery, even if it is one-sided.

They’re on patrol one early evening when the two of them pass by a shop with a small flower display outside. “One second,” Izzy says, doubling back for a minute before catching back up to Lydia with a single purple flower in hand.

“Here,” Izzy says, placing the flower behind Lydia’s right ear, the stem disappearing into the blonde hair Lydia always keeps tucked back when it isn’t pulled up. Izzy wonders briefly what those golden locks would look like falling loose over Lydia’s face, but resists the temptation to untuck them and find out.

“What’s this for?” Lydia asks, growing still at the unexpected touch, tone wary.

Izzy stands back and admires the flower before nodding once in silent confirmation with herself. “I thought purple would suit you,” Izzy says with a smile, and it’s all she gives by way of an explanation before turning to continue on their path as if nothing out of the ordinary just happened.

It isn’t until Lydia strides into the Ops Center the next day wearing a purple dress and suit jacket - to match a familiar flower now braided into her hair - that Izzy starts to think maybe she isn’t the only one trying to impress.

“Nice outfit,” Izzy says when Lydia approaches.

“I thought you might like it,” Lydia smirks.

“The outfit isn’t the only thing I like,” Izzy says, deciding to take a chance. “Maybe we can head out early before patrol tonight, grab dinner?”

Isabelle loved Lydia, that much she was sure of. She loved the way she followed the rules, barely willing to break them even in the most acceptable of circumstances; she loved the way that Lydia needed structure and held herself to the highest of standards, even though Isabelle was almost the polar opposite.

So when her phone rang and the Isabelle’s favorite photo of her girlfriend shined brightly on the screen at 2 in the morning, she didn’t really know what to make of it.

“Are you okay, my angel?” Isabelle asked, her voice laced with concern at the out of character call. Lydia’s laughter rang through the speaker and Isabelle let her shoulders relax just a little.

“I am...” Lydia trailed off, seemingly distracted by the cacophony of voices Isabelle could hear in the distance. Isabelle waited a few beats and sighed heavily into the phone.

“You are...” Isabelle prompted, earning another adorable giggle from the shadowhunter. As much as the sound brightened her on a usual day, she couldn’t say she wasn’t annoyed at the timing of her call.

“Did you know how cool your brother was? I almost married this guy!” Lydia shrieked, loud enough that Isabelle had to pull the phone from her ear. She found herself laughing anyway.

“You did. And now you’re dating his cooler sister, right?” Isabelle teased. Lydia gasped and when she spoke, it was like she held the microphone against her lips.

“You are way cooler than Alec-sander, here,” Lydia said in a mock whisper. She knew Alec had heard Lydia’s words by the noise of offense she was all too familiar with.

“And here I thought this Head of the Institute conference was a very serious and dull matter that you all were dreading,” Isabelle said as she laid back in her bed. It felt lonely without Lydia, but hearing her voice, and the joy that filled it, made it just a little more bearable.

“Magnus, the best High Warlock Alicante could have ever asked for,” Lydia yelled, earning cheers from her audience, “convinced his wonderful husband to treat us all to drinks.”

Isabelle smiled widely and cuddled closer to her pillow, wishing with everything in her that Lydia was back in her arms. “And just how many drinks did my lovely brother buy for you, beautiful?” She could practically see Lydia’s growing blush at the compliment and prided herself in her ability to pull the redness her girlfriend always tried to keep hidden.

“By the sound of your voice, my heart, I think you’re implying that it was at least one too many,” Lydia said, the pout evident in her tone. Isabelle shook her head fondly, even though Lydia couldn’t see it. 

“You sound like you’re having a wonderful time, Lydia.” Isabelle heard her girlfriend’s name being shouted among the multitude of voices and sighed softly. “Go, keep having fun,” Isabelle urged, holding her pillow tighter in her grasp. “I can’t wait to hear all about it tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?” Lydia asked hesitantly. Isabelle’s smile grew at just how much love Lydia had for her, the fact echoing in her voice. 

“I am positive. Go buy a shot for my big brother, on us, okay?” Alec cheered as Lydia ordered the bartender to follow Isabelle’s wishes and her heart never felt fuller. “I love you, my angel.”

Well, I dislike Lydia a whole lot, I don’t see the chemistry, Lydia was quite mean to Izzy, and wanted to torture someone Izzy cared about, and I guess I don’t see Izzy forgiving it. 

Day 13: Shopping - Femslash February - Lydia Branwell x Isabelle Lightwood

“What do you have planned?“ Lydia questioned as she eyed her girlfriend. Isabelle was currently dressed up quite nicely (as always really), and she had placed an outfit on their bed for her to wear.

“Well, since today is your birthday, I thought, why not take the day to spoil you rotten. I know you don’t like pampering yourself, but because I love you and I want to spoil you I got Alec to let you have the next two days off, so we can go out and have some fun.“ She explained while walking closer, till she had wrapper her arms around Lydia’s waist. 

“Isabelle.“ Was all Lydia could breathe out as her vision blurred. She still couldn’t believe how lucky she was sometimes to have such a caring and loving girlfriend. She felt Isabelle wipe away the tears that had spilled over her cheeks and she whispered a quiet thank you.